342 Fcdcration of American Biological Societies [Jan. 



of all who may be interested in seeking the dismemberment of thc 

 national Biochemical Society. (This Statement by Prof. Abel is quoted 



During the in formal Conferences at the Baltimore meetings, in 

 191 1, it was repeatedly suggested by the biochemists, to those who 

 wished to bring about absorption of the Biochemical Society into 

 the Physiological, that a biological federation be organized, and that 

 such a federation be made in eflfect a biological society in which the 

 constituent organizations could coöperate without loss of name or 

 autonomy. The rapid evolution of the Biochemical Club of Eng- 

 land, into the Biochemical Society of England,^ offered sufficient 

 further encouragement to American biochemists, in their stand 

 against a merger of the Biochemical Society into another Organiza- 

 tion, to make such an event wholly impossible. The " eat 'em alive " 

 physiologists in this country dropped the discussion of "absorp- 

 tion." Federation was substituted for assimilation. The federa- 

 tion idea grew into unanimous acceptance. Within the year, in 

 Cleveland in 19 12, federation was formally ratified. A few weeks 

 ago, at Philadelphia, federation became a reality. 



The four constituent societies in the Federation are now afifil- 

 iated, in " independence with interdependence," on a basis of equal- 

 ity and mutual respect, and in fraternal accord, for the attainment 

 of similar scientific and professional ends. The Federation is in 

 effect an " American Biological Society," with splendid possibilities 

 of growth in professional efficiency, in scientific servnce and in 

 public influence. 



The career of the American Physiological Society has been a 

 distinguishing feature in the history of science in America. The 

 Physiological Society placed before " generations " of biochemists, 

 pharmacologists and pathologists the highest ethical and profes- 

 sional Standards, and set a stimulating example of scientific en- 

 deavor and achievement. The unqualified success of the Physiolog- 

 ical Society, from its Organization in 1887, has made possible the 

 subsequent careers of the Biochemical and Pharmacological Socie- 

 ties, of which it is, in fact, the parent Organization. The Federa- 

 tion, certain to follow the leadership of the Physiological Society, 



•''Halliburton: Biochemical Bulletin, 1911, i, p. 484; 1912, ii, p. 128. 



